Inspired Interview: Elsa Brehm Hoffmann

Elsa was born October 11, 1907, in Yonkers, New York. As a young girl, she worked at her parents' bakery supplies business and took business courses at school. Marrying at age 18, Elsa assisted with her husband's roofing business and they raised a family together (four children). Later they had a seasonal motel resort business in Florida and updated real estate properties. They called them their 3 "R's": roofing, resort, and real estate careers. Elsa says her husband always encouraged and supported her with her business ideas, such as remodeling an apartment building, a diner, and a bakery.

Always involved with social, family and charitable activities, Elsa never has had a lack of things to do even after her retirement - even now at age 101. It's difficult to even say she is fully retired, though, since Elsa has flipped condos well into her senior years, and would do so again for the right opportunity! She drives (got a new car for her 100th birthday!), lives independently, and does her own banking.

Once Elsa revealed her age at a 90th birthday, attention grew as people were amazed at her looks and activities for a woman of that age. By the time she was 99 and about to turn 100, she got the attention of Barbara Walters after a two year search by the ABC network and the National Centenarian Awareness Project to find the best role models of centenarians in America.

Elsa was interviewed on Voice of America (March, 2009) and Dr. Michael Brickey's "Ageless Lifestyles" radio show (twice). She is a natural with the media!

As outgoing as she was, however, at one point Elsa was starting to feel embarrassed by all the attention. Loved ones and dear friends convinced her that her example is so inspiring that by sharing her philosophies, she is helping others. Elsa loves to make people happy, so she has gladly let it all ride and is having a blast doing so. The recent book release of Elsa's Own Blue Zone - America's Centenarian Sweetheart's Insights for Positive Aging and Living, written by Elsa's biographer granddaughter Sharon Textor-Black, was a great joy to Elsa as a way to share her "secrets" with everyone near and far.